Mounting platform for construction stilt

ABSTRACT

A foot support structure of the type used with a stilt includes a foot platform, a side wall, and first and second adjustable retaining members. The foot platform includes opposed first and second primary surfaces, a toe end, a heel end, and first and second sides. The side wall extends in a substantially normal direction from the first primary surface and extends along at least a portion of the first and second sides and a portion of the heel end of the base member. The front and rear adjustable retaining members are coupled to the side wall and extend between the first and second sides of the foot platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1.Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to stilts, and more specifically relates to foot support structures for stilts.

2.Related Art

Stilts usually include a pole member and a foot stand or strap that is secured to the pole that a user positions their foot upon to elevate the user above the ground in walking. Stilts are used for entertainment purposed by circus clowns and the like, and are also used by construction workers and others who require additional height to perform their tasks. For example, construction workers who finish wallboard walls using tape and joint compound often use stilts to elevate themselves to a higher position to work on the upper portion of the walls and the ceiling of a room. Stilts not only provide an elevated working position, but also provide mobility for the worker at the elevated position.

Stilts typically include some type of foot support structure that the user stands upon. A foot strap is commonly associated with the foot support structure to positively secure the user's foot to the foot support structure. Sometimes the stilt further includes an additional leg support member that extends further up the user's leg past the foot, and a leg strap secures some part of the user's leg to the leg support member.

An example foot support member 200 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 includes a foot platform 212, a heel support member 214, a stilt mounting bracket 216, and front and rear straps 218, 220. The heel support member 214 is secured to a heel end 232 of the foot platform. The straps 218, 220 are mounted across a top surface 238 at respective toe and heel ends 230, 232 of the foot platform, and the mounting bracket 216 is secured to a bottom surface 240 of the foot platform for mounting the foot support structure to a construction stilt.

Known foot support structures, such as structure 200, have several notable drawbacks. Typically, the foot platform 212 is narrower and sometimes shorter than the footwear of the user, which results in a certain amount of instability for the user. Also, because the straps 218, 220 are secured to the foot platform 212 across the top surface 238, the straps extend around the bottom, sides and top of the user's foot to the location of an attachment structure (not shown) that connects ends of the straps together and provides tightening of the strap around the user's foot. Because the straps are inherently pliable in order to wrap around the user's footwear, the straps 218, 220 are incapable of providing lateral support for the user's foot in the direction L1. This lack of lateral support in combination with a foot platform that is more narrow than the user's footwear results in additional instability and lack of control of the stilt. Even if the foot platform 212 were wider than the user's footwear, the lack of lateral support inherent in the pliable straps and the connection of the straps across the top surface of the platform are significant drawbacks.

Another drawback of foot support structure 200 is that there is no adjustability provided to optimize the position of the straps 218, 220 relative to the user's foot. Such adjustability is desired when, for example, the heel support member 214 is adjusted for a particular foot size. As the heel support member 214 is adjusted rearward relative to the foot platform 212, the position of the rear strap 220 moves forward on the user's foot as the user's foot maintains contact with the heel support member 214 (and visa versa if the heel support member is moved forward). The position of the rear strap 220 relative to the user's foot can significantly affect the ability of the strap to hold the user's heel against the heel support member 214 and the foot platform 212.

A still further disadvantage of known foot support structures is that the materials used for the front and rear straps are highly susceptible to wear under these conditions, and the design of the straps provides little comfort for a user. Because the straps 218, 220 used for foot support structure 200 extend across the top surface 238 of foot platform 212, the straps are brought into contact with the tread of the user's footwear. Since footwear tread is typically abrasive, especially along edges of the footwear, the straps are often quickly worn in these contact areas. Strap failure results in additional strap replacement costs for the user. Further, the narrow, thin straps 218, 220 provide a minimum contact surface area with the user's foot, which results in the strap constricting the user's foot in an often uncomfortable way when the strap is tightened sufficiently to provide some control of the stilt by the user.

Addressing these and other disadvantages of known foot support structures for stilts would be a significant advance in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to stilts, and more specifically relates to foot support structures for use with stilts. An example foot support structure according to principles of the present invention includes a foot platform and side walls that extend along opposing sides and a heel portion of the foot platform in a direction generally perpendicular to a primary top surface of the foot platform. Adjustable straps of the foot support structure are secured to the side walls and may be adjusted to different positions along the side walls in the longitudinal direction of the foot support structure. The side walls also provide lateral and longitudinal support of a user's foot supported by the foot support structure.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a foot support structure of the type used with a stilt. The foot support structure includes a foot platform, a side wall, and first and second adjustable retaining members. The foot platform includes opposed first and second primary surfaces, a toe end, a heel end, and first and second sides. The side wall extends in a substantially normal direction from the first primary surface and extends along at least a portion of the first and second sides and a portion of the heel end of the base member. The front and rear adjustable retaining members are coupled to the side wall and extend between the first and second sides of the foot platform.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a stilt apparatus that includes an elongate structure having first and second ends, a contact member secured to the first end of the elongate member and configured to contact a ground surface, and a foot support structure secured to the second end of the elongate member and configured to support a foot of a user. The foot support structure includes a foot platform, a side wall, and front and rear adjustable retaining members. The foot support includes opposed first and second primary surfaces, a toe end, a heel end, and first and second sides. The side wall extends in a substantially normal direction from the first primary surface and extends along at least a portion of the first and second sides and a portion of the heel end of the base member. The front and rear adjustable retaining members are coupled to the side wall and extend between the first and second sides of the foot platform.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of mounting a user's foot to a foot support structure of a stilt. The foot support structure includes a foot platform, a wall structure extending generally vertically from the foot platform along opposing sides of the foot platform, and first and second adjustable straps. The method includes securing the first and second adjustable straps to the side wall between the opposing first and second sides of the foot platform, positioning the user's foot on the foot platform, and tightening the first and second straps to exert a force on top of the user's foot directed downward toward the foot platform or rearward toward a heel plate of the foot support structure.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. Figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify embodiments of the invention. While certain embodiments will be illustrated and describing embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to use in such embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example foot support structure for a construction stilt according to principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the foot support structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the foot support structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the foot support structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the foot support structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the foot support structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the foot support structure shown in FIG. 1 mounted to an example construction stilt;

FIG. 8 is an example prior art foot support structure for a construction stilt; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the prior art foot support structure shown in FIG. 8.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternate forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example and the drawings, and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention generally relates to stilts, and more specifically relates to foot support structures for use with stilts. An example foot support structure according to principles of the present invention includes a foot platform and side walls that extend along opposing sides and a heel portion of the foot platform in a direction generally perpendicular to a primary top surface of the foot platform. Adjustable straps of the foot support structure are secured to the side wall at opposing sides of the foot platform and may be adjusted to different positions along the side walls in the longitudinal direction of the foot support structure. The side walls provide lateral and longitudinal support of a user's foot supported by the foot support structure.

As used herein the term “strap” may be referred to as an adjustable retaining member and is intended to be a band, plate, or loop of metal for binding objects together or for clamping an object in position, and may further refer to a flat strip or thong of a flexible material used for securing, holding together, or wrapping. The term “foot platform” is generally defined as a structure having a relatively flat support surface that is sized to support a bottom side of a user's foot. The term “heel” and the term “toe” relate to corresponding anatomical features of a user's foot.

An example foot support structure 10 that is suited for use with a stilt is shown in FIGS. 1-7. Foot support structure 10 includes a foot platform 12, a side wall 14, a stilt mounting bracket 16, and front and rear adjustable straps 18, 20. The foot support structure 10 is intended to support a user's foot and provide a positive attachment between the user's foot and a stilt to which the foot support structure 10 is mounted (see FIG. 7 for an example stilt 120).

The foot platform 12 includes toe and heel ends 30, 32, first and second sides 34, 36, a top surface 38, and a bottom surface 40. The side wall 14 extends along the first and second sides 34, 36 and the heel end 32 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the top surface 38. The stilt mounting bracket 16 is secured to the bottom surface 40 and extends in a generally perpendicular direction downward.

The first side wall 14 includes first and second side portions 50, 52 aligned with the first and second sides 34, 36 of the foot platform 12. A heel portion 54 of the side wall 14 extends around the heel end 32 of the foot platform 12. A plurality of front mounting holes 56 and rear mounting holes 58 are formed in each of the first and second side portions 50, 52. The side wall may have a first height H1 for the first and second side portions 50, 52, and a second height H2 for the heel portion 54. Other side wall embodiments may have different heights than those shown in FIGS. 1-7 so long as at least one of the side portions 50, 52 of the side wall 14 has a height sufficient for securing one end of at least one of the adjustable straps 18, 20 to the foot support structure 10. In still further embodiments, the side wall 14 may include multiple portions that are separately mounted or formed on the foot platform so as to extend generally vertically upward from the top surface 38 of the foot platform 12. In other embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 1-7, the side wall 14 may be a continuous piece of material that extends around a majority of the periphery edge of the foot platform 12. In still further embodiments, the side wall 14 may be integrally formed as a single piece with the foot platform 12, or may be a separate member that is secured to foot platform 12 using any known attachment methods such as, for example, welding, adhesives, fasteners, or the like. In still further embodiments, the sidewall 14 may extend vertically downward from the top surface of the top surface 38 of the foot platform 12.

The stilt mounting bracket 16 includes front and rear mounting holes 70, 72 that are configured for mounting the foot support structure 10 to a stilt (for example, the elongate members 126, 128 of stilt 120 shown in FIG. 7). Although FIG. 2 shows only a single set of mounting holes 70, 72, other embodiments may include multiple mounting holes so the foot support structure 10 can be adapted for use with different brands and types of stilts. Moving the foot support structure 10 relative to the elongate members of the stilt 120 may be important for proper balancing of users with different foot sizes, weights, heights, etc. that would adjust the user's center of balance point on the foot support structure 10.

The front adjustable strap 18 includes first and second strap members 80, 82, an adjustable buckle 84, first and second side wall fasteners 86, 88 and a patterned surface 90 formed on the first strap member 80 for proper retaining engagement by the adjustable buckle 84.

Similarly, the rear adjustable strap 20 includes first and second strap members 100, 102, an adjustable buckle 104, first and second side wall fasteners 106, 108, and a patterned surface 110 formed on the first strap member 100 for proper engagement by the adjustable buckle 104.

The front and rear straps 18, 20 can be mounted to any of the respective holes 56, 58 to adjust a longitudinal position of straps 18, 20 relative to the foot platform 12. This type of longitudinal adjustment of the straps 18, 20 may be particularly advantageous for optimizing the support provided by the foot support structure 10 for a variety of user foot sizes. For example, when in use, the rear strap 20 is typically oriented in a slanted position as shown in phantom line in FIG. 2 so as to apply a resultant force in the direction R that has force components in both the vertical and longitudinal directions V, L3. Users with different foot sizes (e.g., foot thickness in the vertical direction or heel depth in the longitudinal direction) results in the rear strap 20 being positioned at different locations along the person's foot, which may result in varied amounts of vertical and longitudinal forces being applied by the strap 20 to the user's foot. Adjusting the rear strap 20 into different holes 58 permits the user to position the strap 20 at an optimal position for comfort and functionality in retaining the user's foot properly within the foot support structure 10. Likewise, the front strap 18 may be moved into different longitudinal positions represented by holes 56 so that the user can properly provide forces from first strap 18 at a preferred position at the front portion of the user's foot.

Because the attachment position of the front and rear straps 18, 20 is elevated relative to the top surface 38 of the foot platform 12 due to the attachment of straps 18, 20 to the side wall 14, tightening of the straps 18, 20 primarily provides a force in the vertically downward direction on the user's foot. As discussed above, the prior art discloses straps that wrap all the way around the foot from a connecting point on the top surface of the foot platform beneath the user's foot such that the straps provide a squeezing effect around the bottom edges, sides, and top surface of the user's foot. In many cases, the configuration provided by the prior art embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is not comfortable for the user and results in many of the disadvantages noted in the Background section above.

The front and rear straps 18-20 have respective widths W1, W2 (see FIG. 2) that provide a more even distribution of forces from the straps onto the user's foot, which may be more comfortable than the relatively narrow straps provided in the prior art foot support structure 200 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Although not shown, the front and rear straps 18-20 may include further padding members along the length of the straps that may provide additional comfort and may be wider than the widths W1, W2 to provide further force distribution on the user's foot.

The adjustable buckles 84, 104 allow relative movement between the first and second strap members 80, 82 and 100, 102 to tighten the straps 18, 20, and may include a quick-release structure that provides releasing of the strap member 80, 82 and 100, 102 relative to each other using, for example, a thumb depressing button. In other embodiments, different attachment mechanisms may be used to secure the strap members of the front and rear straps 18, 20 together while providing adjustment of those strap members relative to each other. In some embodiments, the adjustable buckles 84, 104 may be secured directly to the side wall 14 and the front and rear straps 18, 20 may include a single strap member that extends from one of the sides of the foot platform to the adjustable buckle on the opposing side of the foot platform.

The side wall 14 not only provides an attachment structure for the front and rear straps 18, 20, but also provides lateral support for the front and rear portions of a user's foot in the directions L1, L2 in the foot support structure 10 (see FIG. 1). Further, the heel portion 54 of the side wall 14 provides a heel stop for the user's heel and a surface against which the user's heel can rest when longitudinal forces provided by the rear strap 20 in the direction L3 are applied to the user's foot.

The first and second strap members 80, 82 and 100, 102 may be made of any suitable material that has the properties of durability, strength, and relative comfort. Some appropriate materials that may be used for these straps is a material that includes rubber, a polymer material, or leather products. The foot platform 12, side wall 14, and stilt mounting bracket 16 may be separate members that are secured together, or these members may be integrally formed as a unitary piece using such methods as injection or vacuum molding processes using a relatively lightweight, high-strength material such as plastic or nylon. Some or all of these members may be formed using metal or metal alloy materials, composite materials, or any other suitable material that is cost effective and meets the strength and durability requirements necessary for a given stilt application.

An example construction stilt assembly 120 shown in FIG. 7 includes a foot support structure 10 as shown in FIGS. 1-6, a leg support 122 and associated leg strap 124, a first set of elongate members 126, 128 secured to the foot support structure 10, and a second set of elongate members 130, 132 that are adjustably coupled to the first set of members 126, 128 and are also secured to a contact member 134. The first and second set of elongate members are adjustable relative to each other to increase or decrease the height of the stilt; that is, the position of the foot support structure 10 relative to a ground surface on which the contact member 134 is engaged.

The example foot support structure 10 shown and described herein is merely exemplary of one application of principles of the present invention, such as improved lateral stability, adjustability, durability, and comfort for a user of the foot support structure of a stilt. Other embodiments may be possible that include certain aspects of the present invention and provide improvements over known configurations. One such alternative embodiment (not shown) includes a quick release structure that is configured to engage a mating quick release structure embedded in the user's footwear. Such a configuration may not require straps, but rather relies upon a positive attachment between the foot support structure and the user's footwear across the bottom surface or bottom edge of the user's footwear. This type of embodiment may provide improved lateral stability, adjustability, durability, and comfort for a user of the foot support structure as does the illustrated embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-7.

The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples or materials described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspect of the invention as fairly set out in the attached claims. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the instant specification. 

1. A foot support structure of the type used with a stilt, the foot support comprising: a foot platform having opposed first and second primary surfaces, a toe end, a heel end, and first and second sides; a side wall extending in a substantially normal direction from the first primary surface and extending along at least a portion of the first and second sides and a portion of the heel end of the base member; and front and rear adjustable retaining members coupled to the side wall and extending between the first and second sides of the foot platform.
 2. The foot support structure of claim 1, further comprising a mounting bracket coupled to the second primary surface and configured for mounting the foot support structure to the stilt.
 3. The foot support structure of claim 1, wherein the side wall includes a plurality of mounting apertures configured for mounting the front and rear retaining members on the side wall at different positions relative to the foot platform.
 4. The foot support structure of claim 1, wherein the front and rear retaining members each include first and second portions and an adjustable connector configured to adjustably couple together the first and second portions of each retaining member.
 5. The foot support structure of claim 2, wherein the foot platform, side wall, and mounting bracket comprise a polymer material.
 6. The foot support structure of claim 4, wherein the first and second portions of the front and rear retaining members comprise a polymer-based material.
 7. The foot support structure of claim 1, wherein the side wall is a continuous piece that extends from the toe end on the first side of the foot platform, around the heel end of the foot platform, and to the toe end on the second side of the foot platform.
 8. The foot support structure of claim 1, wherein the side wall includes at least three separate pieces that respectively extend from the first side, the second side and the heel end of the foot platform.
 9. The foot support structure of claim 1, wherein the foot platform and side wall are integrally formed from a single piece.
 10. The foot support structure of claim 1, wherein the foot support structure has a width defined by a spacing between the side wall portions extending along the first and second sides of the foot platform, and the width of the foot support structure is configured to be wider than a footwear supported by the foot support structure.
 11. The foot support structure of claim 4, wherein the adjustable connector is a quick release buckle.
 12. A stilt apparatus, comprising: an elongate structure having first and second ends; a contact member secured to the first end of the elongate member and configured to contact a ground surface; a foot support structure secured to the second end of the elongate member and configured to support a foot of a user, the foot support structure comprising: a foot platform having opposed first and second primary surfaces, a toe end, a heel end, and first and second sides; a side wall extending in a substantially normal direction from the first primary surface and extending along at least a portion of the first and second sides and a portion of the heel end of the base member; and front and rear adjustable retaining members coupled to the side wall and extending between the first and second sides of the foot platform.
 13. A method of mounting a user's foot to a foot support structure of a stilt, the foot support structure including a foot platform, a wall structure extending generally vertically from the foot platform along opposing sides of the foot platform, and first and second adjustable straps, the method comprising the steps of: securing the first and second adjustable straps to the side wall between the opposing first and second sides of the foot platform; positioning the user's foot on the foot platform; and tightening the first and second straps to exert a force on top of the user's foot directed downward toward the foot platform.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the wall structure further extends along a heel portion of the foot platform, and the tightening step includes exerting a force on the user's foot directed toward the heel portion of the foot platform.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising forming a plurality of connecting structures along the wall structure, each connecting structure providing a different securing point for securing the first and second adjustable straps to the side wall.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising supporting the user's foot laterally with the side wall.
 17. A foot support structure suited for use with a construction stilt, the foot support structure comprising: a substantially planar foot platform having a top primary surface and opposing first and second sides; a side wall extending along at least one of the first and second sides and extending from the top primary surface of the foot platform in a substantially perpendicular direction; and a support strap coupled to the side wall and extending to the opposing side of the foot platform.
 18. The foot support structure of claim 17, wherein the foot platform has a width defined between the first and second sides, the width being wider than a user's foot.
 19. The foot support structure of claim 17, further comprising an adjustment member configured to shorten a length of the support strap extending between the first and second sides of the foot platform.
 20. The foot support structure of claim 17, wherein the foot platform includes a toe end and a heel end, and the foot support structure further comprises a heel support member secured to the heel end of the foot platform and extending in a substantially perpendicular direction from the top primary surface of the foot platform. 